The Polish-born Pope John Paul II died 19 years ago, on April 2, 2005, after a long struggle with illness, at the age of 84. Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, the Substitute for General Affairs in the Secretariat of State of the Holy See at the time, brought the news to the public. “Dearest brothers and sisters, at 21:37, our beloved Holy Father John Paul II returned to the home of Our Father,” he said.
Pope John Paul II is remembered as the greatest pilgrim among popes. During his 26-year pontificate, he undertook 104 foreign pilgrimages to 132 countries. He visited 900 cities and towns, covering a distance of 1.7 million kilometers.
His first journey took place in January 1979 to the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the Bahamas, while his last was to France in August 2004.
As the pope, he visited Poland nine times. In Warsaw, during his first pilgrimage to his homeland in 1979, he delivered a homily to his compatriots, which has since become ingrained in the public consciousness of Poland. “Let your Spirit descend! Let your Spirit descend! And renew the face of the earth. The face of this land!” he said.
The pope’s most important achievement was not his contribution to the fall of communism but bringing about change without bloodshed.On April 2, 2005, Pope John Paul II died after a very long pontificate. He was a mystic and had been given many talents. He was canonised a saint in April 2014. His body now lies entombed under a side altar in St Peter's basilica. RIP pic.twitter.com/gtpDgMZlBo
— A. Michelangelo G. BTh, BA, LLB (@MagnusOpus33) April 1, 2024
The pilgrimages to the farthest geographically and different religiously and ideologically countries set the rhythm and program of the pontificate and were also the impetus for the pope’s historic gestures, expressing a desire for dialogue, reconciliation, and extending a hand of friendship.
Pope’s deteriorating health
The Pope’s condition deteriorated in February 2005. John Paul II spent many days in a hospital. On March 31, when he was on his way to his private chambers, he suddenly felt much worse.
At 3:30 pm on April 2, the Pope said to people who were looking after him, “Let me go to Our Father’s home.”
Millions of people all over the world were following the news about the Pope’s condition in his last days. They gathered not only in churches but also in the main squares of cities. After his death, a six-day period of national mourning was declared in Poland.On April 2, 2005, Pope John Paul II died after a very long pontificate. He was a mystic and had been given many talents. He was canonised a saint in April 2014. His body now lies entombed under a side altar in St Peter's basilica. RIP pic.twitter.com/gtpDgMZlBo
— A. Michelangelo G. BTh, BA, LLB (@MagnusOpus33) April 1, 2024
The funeral of John Paul II took place on April 8, 2005. This was one of the largest Christian gatherings in history. It is estimated that 2–5 million people arrived in Rome to pay their respects to the late Pope, including the highest-ranking officials from many countries.
Pope Benedict XVI beatified John Paul II on May 1, 2011. Three years later, he was canonized, along with one of his predecessors, John XXIII.
